Nudge Nudge
Encyclopedia
"Candid Photography", better known as "Nudge Nudge", is a sketch
from the third Monty Python's Flying Circus
episode, "How to Recognise Different Types of Trees From Quite a Long Way Away" featuring Eric Idle
(author of the sketch) and Terry Jones
as two strangers who meet in a pub.
and the 1982 concert film Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
. It was also performed when the Pythons appeared on The Midnight Special
.
In its original airing on Monty Python's Flying Circus, the sketch was preceded by a short link in which Idle, Terry Jones
and Michael Palin
portray schoolboys being interviewed for television by John Cleese
. During the interview, Idle announces that he's written a sketch called "Nudge Nudge."
In And Now for Something Completely Different, the sketch is followed by a cut to a scene in a gym, where Terry Gilliam dressed as a nun on an ergometer
replies (dubbed by a female voice), "I think it's overrated." Then, the "Self Defence Against Fresh Fruit" sketch is played in the setting.
Idle's character in the pub makes several cameo appearances in later episodes, referred to as "Arthur Name."
in another comedy show, the sketch was then rejected as a script. Eric Idle openly admits the script is confusing, the joke being mostly in the delivery. It is also one of the few Monty Python sketches to end on a clear punch line
.
phrase implying sexual innuendo
.
Elvis Presley
was a great fan of Monty Python. In an extra on the Rutles DVD, Idle claims "Nudge Nudge" was Presley's favorite Python sketch.
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
from the third Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a BBC TV sketch comedy series. The shows were composed of surreality, risqué or innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines...
episode, "How to Recognise Different Types of Trees From Quite a Long Way Away" featuring Eric Idle
Eric Idle
Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer. He was as a member of the British comedy group Monty Python, a member of the The Rutles on Saturday Night Live and author of the play, Spamalot....
(author of the sketch) and Terry Jones
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....
as two strangers who meet in a pub.
Sketch description
As patrons in a pub, Idle (playing a younger man) asks Jones (as an older gentleman) personal, sexual innuendo-laden questions about his relationship with his wife, such as "Is your wife a 'goer'?", "is she a sport?", "is she interested in photographs?", etc. Jones responds in a confused, non-committal sort of way, appearing not to understand the innuendo, and Idle responds with an enthusiastic "Nudge, Nudge, wink wink, Say no more". As the sketch continues, his questions get more and more clearly sexual, and his reactions to Jones's responses get more and more complicated. After a period of time, Jones demands to know what Idle is talking about. Somewhat embarrassed, Idle clumsily asks if Jones has slept with a lady. When Jones says that he has, a fascinated Idle asks, "What's it like?"In other Monty Python material
The sketch appears in the 1971 spin-off feature film, And Now for Something Completely DifferentAnd Now For Something Completely Different
And Now for Something Completely Different is a film spin-off from the television comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus featuring favorite sketches from the first two seasons. The title was used as a catchphrase in the television show....
and the 1982 concert film Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl is a 1982 concert film in which the Monty Python team perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl. The show also included filmed inserts which were mostly taken from two Monty Python specials, Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus, which had been...
. It was also performed when the Pythons appeared on The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special (TV series)
The Midnight Special is an American musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981...
.
In its original airing on Monty Python's Flying Circus, the sketch was preceded by a short link in which Idle, Terry Jones
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....
and Michael Palin
Michael Palin
Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries....
portray schoolboys being interviewed for television by John Cleese
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
. During the interview, Idle announces that he's written a sketch called "Nudge Nudge."
In And Now for Something Completely Different, the sketch is followed by a cut to a scene in a gym, where Terry Gilliam dressed as a nun on an ergometer
Ergometer
Ergometer may refer to:*Exercise machine, equipped with an apparatus for measuring the work performed by exercising*Indoor rower, called an ergometer by rowers* An instrument for measuring the amount of work done by human muscles...
replies (dubbed by a female voice), "I think it's overrated." Then, the "Self Defence Against Fresh Fruit" sketch is played in the setting.
Idle's character in the pub makes several cameo appearances in later episodes, referred to as "Arthur Name."
History
Originally written by Eric Idle for Ronnie BarkerRonnie Barker
Ronald William George "Ronnie" Barker, OBE was a British actor, comedian, writer, critic, broadcaster and businessman...
in another comedy show, the sketch was then rejected as a script. Eric Idle openly admits the script is confusing, the joke being mostly in the delivery. It is also one of the few Monty Python sketches to end on a clear punch line
Punch line
A punch line is the final part of a joke, comedy sketch, or profound statement, usually the word, sentence or exchange of sentences which is intended to be funny or to provoke laughter or thought from listeners...
.
Reception and legacy
The quote, "nudge nudge, wink wink", has entered the English lexicon as an idiomaticIdiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
phrase implying sexual innuendo
Innuendo
An innuendo is a baseless invention of thoughts or ideas. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging , that works obliquely by allusion...
.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
was a great fan of Monty Python. In an extra on the Rutles DVD, Idle claims "Nudge Nudge" was Presley's favorite Python sketch.